Method and apparatus for performing scan operations

ABSTRACT

Various methods, apparatuses and/or articles of manufacture are provided which may be implemented for use by a mobile device to alter a scan operation. Various methods, apparatuses and/or articles of manufacture are provided which may be implemented for use by one or more electronic devices to determine one or more scan factors for use by a mobile device in altering a scan operation.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to electronic devices, andmore particularly to methods, apparatuses and articles of manufacturefor use by a mobile device to alter a scan operation, and/or one or moreelectronic devices to determine one or more scan factors for use by amobile device in altering a scan operation.

2. Information

As its name implies, a mobile device may be moved about, e.g. typicallybeing carried by a user and/or possibly a machine. By way of somenon-limiting examples, a mobile device may take the form of a cellulartelephone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, awearable computer, a navigation and/or a tracking device, etc.

A mobile device may wish to maintain wireless connectivity to one ormore electronic devices as it is moved about. For example, it may bebeneficial for a wireless device to maintain wireless connectivity toaccess various services, such as may be provided by one or morecommunication and/or computing networks, etc. In another example, it maybe beneficial for a mobile device to perform or support variouspositioning functions based on acquired wireless signals. Consequently,a mobile device may at times perform a scan for wireless signals toacquire.

Unfortunately, a mobile device may, at times, wastefully consume limitedcomputing, memory, and/or available power resources (e.g., frombatteries, etc.) scanning for wireless signals.

SUMMARY

In accordance with certain aspects, a method that may be implemented ata mobile device may comprise acquiring at least a first wireless signaltransmitted by a wireless transceiver device, and selectively alteringat least one subsequent scan operation for wireless signals based, atleast in part, on the first wireless signal.

In accordance with certain other aspects, an apparatus that may beprovided for use in a mobile device may comprise means for acquiring atleast a first wireless signal transmitted by a wireless transceiverdevice, and means for selectively altering at least one subsequent scanoperation for wireless signals based, at least in part, on the firstwireless signal.

In accordance with still other aspects, a mobile device may comprise areceiver, and a processing unit to acquire at least a first wirelesssignal via the receiver from a wireless transceiver device, andselectively alter at least one subsequent scan operation for wirelesssignals using the receiver based, at least in part, on the firstwireless signal.

Accordance with yet another aspect, an article of manufacture may beprovided that comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium havingstored therein computer implementable instructions executable by aprocessing unit in a mobile device to acquire at least a first wirelesssignal transmitted by a wireless transceiver device, and selectivelyalter at least one subsequent scan operation for wireless signals based,at least in part, on the first wireless signal.

In accordance with a some other aspects, a method that may beimplemented at an electronic device may comprise determining at leastone scan factor for consideration by a mobile device, the at least onescan factor being based, at least in part, on at least a first wirelesssignal transmitted by a first wireless transceiver device, andtransmitting a message to a mobile device, the at least one messagebeing indicative of the at least one scan factor.

In accordance with yet another aspect, an apparatus that may be providedfor use in an electronic device may comprise means for determining atleast one scan factor for consideration by a mobile device, the at leastone scan factor being based, at least in part, on at least a firstwireless signal transmitted by a first wireless transceiver device, andmeans for transmitting a message to a mobile device, the at least onemessage being indicative of the at least one scan factor.

In accordance with yet another aspect, a computing platform that may beprovided for use in an electronic device may comprise a networkinterface unit, and a processing unit to determine at least one scanfactor for consideration by a mobile device, the at least one scanfactor being based, at least in part, on at least a first wirelesssignal transmitted by a first wireless transceiver device and acquiredvia the network interface unit, and initiate transmission of a messageto a mobile device via the network interface unit, the at least onemessage being indicative of the at least one scan factor.

In accordance with still other certain aspects, an article ofmanufacture may be provided which comprises a non-transitory computerreadable medium having stored therein computer implementableinstructions stored executable by a processing unit of an electronicdevice to determine at least one scan factor for consideration by amobile device, the at least one scan factor being based, at least inpart, on at least a first wireless signal transmitted by a firstwireless transceiver device, and initiate transmission of a message to amobile device, the at least one message being indicative of the at leastone scan factor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive aspects are described with reference tothe following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeparts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an arrangement ofrepresentative electronic devices including an electronic device todetermine a scan factor, and a mobile device which may alter asubsequent scan operation, e.g., possibly considering a scan factor, inaccordance with an example implementation.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are flow diagrams illustrating example processesthat may be implemented within a mobile device to alter a subsequentscan operation, in accordance with certain example implementations.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are flow diagrams illustrating example processesthat may be implemented within an electronic device to determine a scanfactor which may be considered by a mobile device in altering asubsequent scan operation, in accordance with certain exampleimplementations.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating certain features of anexample electronic device to determine a scan factor which may beconsidered by a mobile device in altering a subsequent scan operation,in accordance with an example implementation.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating certain features of anexample mobile device which may alter a subsequent scan operation, inaccordance with an example implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A mobile device may seek to maintain wireless connectivity to one ormore electronic devices as it is moved about. For example, it may bebeneficial for a wireless device to maintain wireless connectivity toaccess various services, such as may be provided by one or morecommunication and/or computing networks, etc. In another example, it maybe beneficial for mobile device to perform or support variouspositioning functions based on acquired wireless signals. Consequently,a mobile device may at times perform a scan for wireless signals toacquire.

Wireless signal scan operations may, for example, comprise passive scanoperations, active scan operations, or some combination thereof. For apassive scan operation, a mobile device may passively receive or attemptto receive wireless signals without transmitting its own wirelesssignals. For an active scan operation, a mobile device may activelytransmit its own wireless signals, e.g., in an attempt to initiatetransmission of wireless signals from other electronic devices. As maybe appreciated, a mobile device may consume limited computing, memory,and/or available power resources (e.g., batteries, etc.) in performing ascan operation.

In many instances, as a result of a mobile device transmitting wirelesssignals, an active scan operation or a mixed active/passive scanoperation tends to consume more of the available power resources thanmight a passive scan operation. Hence, it may be beneficial to performpassive scan operations under some circumstances if possible. However,since passive scan operations also tend to consume limited resources itmay also be beneficial to, at times, in some way limit or possiblyreduce passive scan operations, e.g., to conserve resources, improveefficiency, etc.

Consequently, in accordance with certain aspects of the presentdescription, a mobile device may be provided which acquires at least afirst wireless signal transmitted by a wireless transceiver device, andselectively alters at least one subsequent scan operation for wirelesssignals based, at least in part, on the first wireless signal. Asdescribed in greater detail herein, in certain instances the firstwireless signal may be indicative of one or more scan factors which maybe considered by the mobile device in altering a subsequent scanoperation. In certain instances, one or more of such scan operations maycomprise a passive scan operation. Indeed, in certain implementations,the techniques herein may be implemented specifically for passive scanoperations. However, in certain other implementations, the techniquesherein may be implemented for combined passive/active scan operations,or possibly just active scan operations. Hence, unless stated otherwisethe term “scan” may apply to a passive scan and/or an active scan.

In certain example implementations, a mobile device may analyze at leastthe first wireless signal, and selectively alter a subsequent scanoperation based, at least in part, on a received signal strengthmeasurement for the first wireless signal, and/or a determinedtransmission power applied by the wireless transceiver device intransmitting the first wireless signal (e.g., which may beapproximated/estimated based on a received signal strength measurement).

In certain example implementations, a mobile device may selectivelyalter a subsequent scan operation by altering a scan schedule, e.g.based, at least in part, on the first wireless signal. Here, forexample, in certain instances a scan schedule may be based, at least inpart, on a scan rate (e.g., specifying certain start and stop times,and/or possibly specify a scan rate based on a frequency, a pattern,etc.). Thus, for example, a mobile device may selectively alter asubsequent scan operation by altering a frequency and/or the like of ascan rate. In certain instances, as described herein, a scan factorwhich may be obtained by the mobile device may indicate a recommendedscan rate frequency, e.g., for a particular region and/or location,possibly corresponding to a particular period of time, etc.

In certain implementations, a scan factor which may be obtained by amobile device may be generated based on feedback obtained from one ormore mobile devices, e.g., with regard to their scan operations and/orthe like with regard to a particular environment or portion thereof.Accordingly, in certain example implementations, a mobile device mayitself transmit a scan operation report to at least one other electronicdevice. Here, for example, such a scan operation report may be based, atleast in part, on one subsequent scan operations which may have beenselectively altered by mobile device.

With this introduction in mind, attention is now drawn to FIG. 1, whichis a schematic block diagram illustrating an example arrangement 100comprising at least one mobile device 102 having an apparatus 104capable of selectively altering a (subsequent) scan operation 106. Incertain implementations, mobile device 102 may selectively alter scanoperation 106 based, at least in part, on one or more scan factors 114which may be received from an apparatus 112, which may be located in anelectronic device 110. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in certain instanceselectronic device 110 may take the form of a wireless transceiverdevice, represented here by access point (AP) 142-n.

As shown in arrangement 100, mobile device 102 is illustrated as beinglocated within a particular environment 108. By way of example, aspresented herein, particular environment 108 may be representative of atleast a portion of an indoor environment, and/or at least a portion ofan outdoor environment. Thus, for example, in certain implementationsparticular environment 108 may represent all or part of a building, acampus, an outdoor mall, a beach/boardwalk, etc., just to name a fewexamples.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, mobile device 102 may acquire various wirelesssignals transmitted from various other electronic devices, some of whichmay be physically located within environment 108 and some of which maybe physically located outside of environment 108. In this example, awireless computing/communication network 140 is represented by pluralityof wireless transceiver devices, represented by an AP 142-1 which maytransmit wireless signal 144-1, an AP 142-2 which may transmit wirelesssignal 144-2, . . . , and an AP 142-n which may transmit a wirelesssignal 144-n, wherein only AP 142-n is illustrated as being locatedoutside of environment 108. In certain implementations, some wirelesstransceiver devices may transmit wireless signals to one or more otherdevices and receive wireless signals from one or more other devices. Incertain implementations, some wireless transceiver devices may belimited to only transmitting wireless signals. In certainimplementations, some wireless transceiver devices may be furthercoupled to one or more other devices. Here, for example, AP 142-1 isillustrated as having a communication link 138 to network(s) 120. Incertain implementations, one or more wireless transceiver devices may beprovisioned, at least in part, as part of a terrestrial-basedpositioning system.

Network(s) 120 is intended to represent all or part of one or more otherelectronic devices and/or communication facilities/resources capable ofsupporting wired and/or wireless electronic communication. Thus forexample, network(s) 120 may comprise all or part of a telephone network,a cellular telephone network, a wireless communication network, anintranet, the Internet, and/or the like or some combination thereof.

Although communication link 118 between network(s) and electronic device110 and communication link 138 are illustrated here as representing“wired” communication links it should be understood that in certaininstances these communication links may represent one or more wiredand/or wireless communication links. Furthermore, it should beunderstood that a “wired” communication link may comprise electricallyconductive wires, cables, etc., and/or similar light or other wavelengthconductive members, e.g., fiber-optic cables, waveguides, etc.

As further illustrated, in certain implementations arrangement 100 maycomprise one or more space positioning systems (SPS) 130, which maytransmit applicable wireless signals that may, at times, be acquired bymobile device 102 and used, at least in part, to support a positioningfunction. Here, for example, SPS 130 may comprise a plurality of spacevehicles (SVs) 132, each of which may transmit one or more SPS signals134. Further, for example, in certain implementations, a terrestrialpositioning system may wireless transceiver devices and/or the like,which may transmit one or more positioning signals (e.g., which may berepresented here by wireless signals 144).

Attention is drawn next to FIG. 2A, which is a flow diagram illustratingan example process 200 that may be implemented, at least in part, in amobile device 102 to alter a scan operation 106.

At example block 202, mobile device 102 may acquire at least a firstwireless signal transmitted by a wireless transceiver device. Here, forexample, in certain implementations mobile device may perform an initialscan operation, e.g., which may comprise a passive scan operation and/oran active scan operation. In certain example implementations, such afirst wireless signal may comprise a positioning beacon and/or otherlike signal which may be useful to a positioning function and/or thelike performed by mobile device 102. Thus, for example, in certainimplementations a first wireless signal may be indicative of a uniqueidentifier (e.g., a Mac address, etc.) corresponding to the wirelesstransceiver device.

In some instances, a first wireless signal may be indicative of all orpart of a location of the wireless transceiver device, potentialservices available via the wireless transceiver device (if applicable),possibly other information available regarding all or part of aparticular environment 108, and/or the like or some combination thereof.

In some examples, a first wireless signal may be indicative of one ormore scan factors 114, which may be considered by apparatus 104 inaltering a (subsequent) scan operation 106. In certain implementations,all or part of one or more scan factors 114 may have been generated, atleast in part, by the wireless transceiver device. In certainimplementations, all or part of one or more scan factors 114 may havebeen generated, at least in part, by one or more other electronicdevices which may be coupled to the wireless transceiver device.

At example block 204, device 102 may selectively alter at least onesubsequent scan operation 106 through which the mobile device may searchfor and/or possibly attempt to acquire one or more additional wirelesssignals. Here, for example, device 102 may selectively alter at leastone subsequent scan operation 106 based, at least in part, on the firstwireless signal.

Attention is drawn next to FIG. 2B, which is a flow diagram illustratingan example process 220 that may be implemented, at least in part, in amobile device 102 to alter a scan operation 106.

As with process 200, at example block 202 mobile device 102 may acquireat least a first wireless signal transmitted by a wireless transceiverdevice, and at example block 204 device 102 may selectively alter atleast one subsequent scan operation 106 through which the mobile devicemay search for and/or possibly attempt to acquire one or more additionalwireless signals.

At example block 206 mobile device 102 may selectively alter at leastone subsequent scan operation 106 based, at least in part, on a receivedsignal strength measurement which may be determined by the mobile devicefor at least the first wireless signal. In certain instances, such areceived signal strength measurement may be considered along with acorresponding signal strength threshold value, e.g. to determine whetherand/or how much to alter a subsequent scan operation 106. Similarly incertain instances, at block 206 mobile device 102 may selectively alterat least one subsequent scan operation 106 based, at least in part, on adetermined transmission power which may be determined by the mobiledevice for at least the first wireless signal and/or at least the firstwireless transceiver device. For example, in certain instances atransmission power may be indicated in a an AP broadcast, etc. Inanother example, a transmission power may be determined based, at leastin part, by a comparison of a measured RSSI and an expected RSSI (e.g.,for known locations). In some examples, such a determined transmissionpower may be considered along with a corresponding transmission powerthreshold value, e.g. to determine whether and/or how much to alter asubsequent scan operation 106.

By way of yet another example, at block 208, mobile device 102 mayselectively alter at least one subsequent scan operation 106, at leastin part, by altering (e.g., modifying, changing, adding to, deletingfrom, establishing, generating, etc.) a scan schedule. For example, ascan schedule may indicate start and stop times for subsequent scanoperations, and thus by changing one or more start or stop times mobiledevice 102 may selectively alter at least one subsequent scan operation106 via such scan schedule

By way of still further example, at block 208, in certain instances ascan schedule may be based, at least in part, on a scan rate, and amobile device may selectively alter at least one scan operation 106 byaltering a frequency of such a scan rate. For example, in certaininstances mobile device 102 may increase such a frequency in response todetermining that a received signal strength measurement for a firstwireless signal does not satisfy a signal strength threshold value.Conversely, in certain instances mobile device 102 may decrease such afrequency in response to determining that the received signal strengthmeasurement satisfies such a signal strength threshold value. Similarly,in certain instances mobile device 102 may increase such a frequency inresponse to determining that a determined transmission power applied bya wireless transceiver device in transmitting a first wireless signaldoes not satisfy a transmission power threshold value. Conversely, incertain instances mobile device 102 may decrease such a frequency inresponse to determining that the determined transmission power satisfiessuch a transmission power threshold value. In certain other instances,mobile device 102 may decrease such a frequency in response to and/orotherwise based, at least in part, on a comparison of a number ofwireless transceiver devices identified (e.g., based on a default scanrate) to an expected number of wireless transceiver devices (e.g., basedon a heatmap). In certain example implementations, a scan rate may besynchronized or otherwise offset in some manner to a position fix rate(e.g., specifying how often position fixes may be computed, possiblytransmitted, etc.). By way of example, if a position fix rate is tenseconds, it may be beneficial for a scan rate to initiate a scanslightly in advance of a scheduled position fix. However, in certaininstances if a position fix rate is one second, it may be beneficial fora scan rate to initiate a scan in advance of each n^(th) (e.g., fifth)scheduled position fix.

In some examples, at example block 210, a mobile device 102 mayselectively alter at least one subsequent scan operation 106 based, atleast in part, on one or more scan factors 114, which may be receivedfrom one or more other electronic devices. For example, in certaininstances all or part of one or more scan factors 114 may be obtainedvia the first wireless signal acquired at block 202. In certain otherinstances, all or part of one or more scan factors 114 may be obtainedvia one or more other wireless signals and/or messages carried thereon.Indeed, in certain instances it may be possible for mobile device 102 toobtain all or part of one or more scan factors 114 from one or moreother mobile devices. Further still, in certain instances all or part ofone or more scan factors 114 may be obtained along with various types ofnavigation assistance data, and/or the like.

A scan factor 114 may, for example, provide information about one ormore wireless transceiver devices which may be of use, at least in part,to a mobile device. For example, in certain instances a scan factor 114may identify one or more wireless transceiver devices that may be nearbymobile device 102, and/or may indicate certain parameters which may beconsidered in attempting to acquire wireless signals from such wirelesstransceiver devices, e.g. as part of a subsequent altered scan operation106. By way of example, in certain instances a scan factor 114 mayidentify particular frequencies, frequency bands, channels, etc., basedon which mobile device 102 may tune its receiver(s) in an attempt toacquire wireless signals from such wireless transceiver devices.

In certain instances, at block 210, a scan factor 114 which may beconsidered, may vary depending upon a location of the mobile device,some time measurement, and/or the like or some combination thereof.Thus, for example, in certain instances a scan factor 114 may beapplicable for certain regions within an environment, e.g., a particularoffice suite, a particular floor of the building, a particular building,a particular campus, a particular region identifiable by a locationcontext identifier (LCI) and/or the like, which may correspond todifferent operating modes/settings, availability/unavailability, etc.,of one or more wireless transceiver devices. Similarly, for example, incertain instances a scan factor 114 may be applicable to a timemeasurement indicative of certain dates, days of the week, times of day,and/or the like, which may correspond to different operatingmodes/settings, availability/unavailability, etc., of one or morewireless transceiver devices.

In certain instances at block 210, a scan factor 114 may be indicativeof a recommended scan rate frequency and/or the like, which may beconsidered by mobile device 102 in selectively altering scan operation106. For example, in certain implementations a scan factor 114 may bebased, at least in part, on information gathered via a plurality of scanoperation reports from a plurality of mobile devices with regard to aparticular environment 108. Indeed, in certain instances a scanoperation report may be indicative of an altered subsequent scanoperation made by other mobile devices, or possibly certain decisionfactors and/or available information used by other mobile devicesregarding subsequent scan operations, whether such subsequent scanoperations proved beneficial or detrimental, etc.

Accordingly, an apparatus 112 may consider variety of historicalinformation and/or gathered knowledge regarding scanning within aparticular environment or portion thereof. Hence, for example, incertain instances, a scan factor 114 may indicate a particular scanfrequency which may be considered by an apparatus 104 in mobile device102.

Indeed, in certain implementations, a scan factor 114 may take a formthat may be similar to a probability radio signal heatmap in thatdifferent scan factors (e.g., scan frequencies, etc.) may be specifiedby way of various distances, locations, etc. associated with theparticular environment. For example, in certain instances a linearfunction or a discrete function may be used to indicate a scan frequencyas a function of distance from a particular point (e.g., a defaultreference point, a location of a wireless transceiver device, etc.)and/or as a function of specified locations within a particularenvironment (e.g., a grid coordinate, a room identifier, etc.).

In certain instances at block 210, a scan factor 114 may be indicativeof a suggested scan limitation. Here, for example, in certain instancesa suggested scan limitation may be indicative of one or more conditionalaspects associated with a scan factor 114. In certain instances, asuggested scan limitation may be indicative of one or more signalfrequencies, signal frequency bands, channels, etc., which may beassociated with particular wireless transceiver devices and/or certaincorresponding wireless signals which may be of use to mobile device 102.Conversely, in certain instances a suggested scan limitation may beindicative of one or more signal frequencies, signal frequency bands,channels, etc., that may be skipped over, avoided, etc., in one or moresubsequent scan operations. In certain instances, a suggested scanlimitation may be indicative of a transmit power, an antenna selection,a protocol, a message, etc., that may be applied in one or more (active)scan operations.

In certain instances mobile device 102, at block 204, may selectivelyalter a subsequent scan operation 106 based, at least in part, on asuggested scan limitation. By doing so, in certain implementationsmobile device 102 may be able to avoid wasting time and/or resourcesperforming passive scans and/or possibly active scans for wirelesssignal/transmitters which may simply not be available within aparticular environment and/or portion thereof. Hence, scan factor 114may allow mobile device to make more informed decisions as to whenand/or how best to perform scan operations.

Example block 212 may be optional, as may be other blocks in the exampleprocesses of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 which are drawn using dashed line boxes.At example block 212, a mobile device 102 may transmit a scan operationreport to at least one other electronic device. Thus, for example, viaexample block 212 mobile device 102 may participate in crowd-sourcingand/or otherwise simply providing feedback indicative of variousinformation corresponding to all or part of a particular environment 108and relating to scan operations, and/or the like which may have beenconsidered and/or applied by mobile device 102. Indeed, as mentioned, incertain instances it may be beneficial for an apparatus 112 to obtain aplurality of scan operation reports and/or the like that may be analyzedand/or otherwise processed in some manner to alter one or more scanfactors 114, which may then be provided to one or more mobile devicesprior to and/or while navigating within all or part of particularenvironment 108.

Attention is drawn next to FIG. 3A, which is a flow diagram illustratingan example process 300 that may be implemented, at least in part, in anelectronic device 110 and/or other like device comprising apparatus 112to generate a scan factor 114.

At example block 302, apparatus 112 may determine at least one scanfactor 114 (e.g., for consideration by a mobile device 102) based, atleast in part, on at least a wireless signal transmitted by a wirelesstransceiver device. Thus, in certain implementations, apparatus 112 maybe provisioned in one or more wireless transceiver devices, and/or thelike, which may be arranged physically within and/or physically outside(e.g., possibly physically nearby) of a particular location 108.Apparatus 112 may, therefore, in certain instances acquire variouswireless signals transmitted by other wireless transceiver devices,e.g., possibly in similar manner as might a mobile device. Consequently,apparatus 112 may learn information about one or more neighboringwireless transceiver devices, which may be considered in determining atleast one scan factor 114. Example, in certain instances apparatus 112may generate one or more scan factors 114 to identify one or moreneighboring wireless transceivers devices, and/or signals transmittedthereby, and/or other factors/conditions corresponding thereto.

At example block 312, apparatus 112 initiate transmission of one or moremessages (directly and/or indirectly) to a mobile device indicating atleast one scan factor. In certain instances, apparatus 112 may initiatetransmission of such message(s) via one or more signals broadcast, e.g.,from time to time, for reception by any listening mobile devices and/orother electronic devices. In certain instances, apparatus 112 maytransmit such message(s) to one or more particular mobile devices, e.g.,in response to a request for scan factors, and/or other like assistancedata (e.g., corresponding to all or part of a particular environment108).

Attention is drawn next to FIG. 3B, which is a flow diagram illustratingan example process 320 that may be implemented, at least in part, in anelectronic device 110 and/or other like device comprising apparatus 112to generate a scan factor 114.

At example block 302, apparatus 112 may determine at least one scanfactor 114 (e.g., for consideration by a mobile device 102) based, atleast in part, on at least a wireless signal transmitted by a wirelesstransceiver device. Thus, in certain implementations, apparatus 112 maybe provisioned in one or more wireless transceiver devices, and/or thelike, which may be arranged physically within and/or physically outside(e.g., possibly physically nearby) of a particular location 108.Apparatus 112 may, therefore, in certain instances acquire variouswireless signals transmitted by other wireless transceiver devices,e.g., possibly in similar manner as might a mobile device. Consequently,apparatus 112 may learn information about one or more neighboringwireless transceiver devices, which may be considered in determining atleast one scan factor 114. Example, in certain instances apparatus 112may generate one or more scan factors 114 to identify one or moreneighboring wireless transceivers devices, and/or signals transmittedthereby, and/or other factors/conditions corresponding thereto.

Accordingly, in certain example implementations, at example block 304,apparatus 112 may determine one or more scan factors based, at least inpart, by considering a received signal strength measurement for awireless signal and possibly a signal strength threshold value, and/orconsider a determined transmission power and possibly a transmissionpower threshold value.

In certain example implementations, at example block 306, apparatus 112may determine one or more scan factors which may be conditional and/orotherwise dependent upon a location of the mobile device and/or sometime measurement, several examples of which have been previouslydescribed.

In certain example implementations, at example block 308, apparatus 112may determine a scan factor that is indicative of a recommended scanrate frequency and/or a suggested scan limitation, several examples ofwhich have been previously described.

In certain example implementations, at block 310, apparatus 112 maydetermine a scan factor based, at least in part, by considering at leastone scan operation report, e.g. which may be obtained from a mobiledevice. Indeed, as previously mentioned, in certain instances aplurality of scan operation reports from a plurality of mobile devicesmay be analyzed and/or otherwise considered in generating a scan factor.

At example block 312, apparatus 112 initiate transmission of one or moremessages (directly and/or indirectly) to a mobile device indicating atleast one scan factor. In certain instances, apparatus 112 may initiatetransmission of such message(s) via one or more signals broadcast, e.g.,from time to time, for reception by any listening mobile devices and/orother electronic devices. In certain instances, apparatus 112 maytransmit such message(s) to one or more particular mobile devices, e.g.,in response to a request for scan factors, and/or other like assistancedata (e.g., corresponding to all or part of a particular environment108).

Attention is now drawn to FIG. 4, which is a schematic block diagramillustrating certain features of an example special computing platform400 which may be provided as part of electronic device 110, and/orapparatus 112 provisioned therein. In certain implementations,electronic device 110 may take the form of a wireless transceiverdevice, e.g., such as, an access point and/or the like.

As illustrated special computing platform 400 may comprise one or moreprocessing units 402 (e.g., to perform data processing in accordancewith the techniques provided herein, apparatus 112) coupled to memory404 via one or more connections 406 (e.g., one or more electricalconductors, one or more electrically conductive paths, one or morebuses, one or more fiber-optic paths, one or more circuits, one or morebuffers, one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, etc.).Processing unit(s) 402 may, for example, be implemented in hardware or acombination of hardware and software. Processing unit(s) 402 may berepresentative of one or more circuits configurable to perform at leasta portion of a data computing procedure or process. By way of examplebut not limitation, a processing unit may include one or moreprocessors, controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, applicationspecific integrated circuits, digital signal processors, programmablelogic devices, field programmable gate arrays, or the like, or anycombination thereof.

Memory 404 may be representative of any data storage mechanism. Memory404 may include, for example, a primary memory 404-1 and/or a secondarymemory 404-2. Primary memory 404-1 may comprise, for example, a randomaccess memory, read only memory, etc. While illustrated in this exampleas being separate from the processing units, it should be understoodthat all or part of a primary memory may be provided within or otherwiseco-located/coupled with processing unit(s) 402, or other like circuitrywithin electronic device 110. Secondary memory 404-2 may comprise, forexample, the same or similar type of memory as primary memory and/or oneor more data storage devices or systems, such as, for example, a diskdrive, an optical disc drive, a tape drive, a solid motion state memorydrive, etc.

In certain implementations, secondary memory may be operativelyreceptive of, or otherwise configurable to couple to, a non-blendedcomputer readable medium 420. Memory 404 and/or non-blended computerreadable medium 420 may comprise instructions 422 for use in performingdata processing, e.g., in accordance with the applicable techniques asprovided herein.

Special computing platform 400 may, for example, further comprise one ormore network interface unit(s) 408. Network interface unit(s) 408 may,for example, comprise one or more wired and/or wireless communicationinterfaces, represented here by one or more receivers 410 and one ormore transmitters 412. It should be understood that in certainimplementations, communication interface 408 may comprise one or moretransceivers, and/or the like. Further, it should be understood thatalthough not shown, communication interface 408 may comprise one or moreantennas and/or other circuitry as may be applicable given thecommunication interface function/capability.

In accordance with certain example implementations, network interfaceunit(s) 408 may, for example, be enabled for use with various wiredcommunication networks, e.g., such as telephone system, a local areanetwork, a wide area network, a personal area network, an intranet, theInternet, etc.

Accordance with certain example implementations network interfaceunit(s) 408 and/or 508 (see FIG. 5) may, for example, be enabled for usewith various wireless communication networks such as a wireless widearea network (WWAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wirelesspersonal area network (WPAN), and so on. The term “network” and “system”may be used interchangeably herein. A WWAN may be a Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA) network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)network, a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) network, anOrthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, aSingle-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) network, andso on. A CDMA network may implement one or more radio accesstechnologies (RATs) such as cdma2000, Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA), TimeDivision Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), to namejust a few radio technologies. Here, cdma2000 may include technologiesimplemented according to IS-95, IS-2000, and IS-856 standards. A TDMAnetwork may implement Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM),Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System (D-AMBP capability), or some otherRAT. GSM and W-CDMA are described in documents from a consortium named“3rd Generation Partnership Project” (3GPP). Cdma2000 is described indocuments from a consortium named “3rd Generation Partnership Project 2”(3GPP2). 3GPP and 3GPP2 documents are publicly available. A WLAN mayinclude an IEEE 802.11x network, and a WPAN may include a Bluetoothnetwork, an IEEE 802.15x, for example. Wireless communication networksmay include so-called next generation technologies (e.g., “4G”), suchas, for example, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE, WiMAX, UltraMobile Broadband (UMB), and/or the like. Additionally, communicationinterface(s) 408 may further provide for infrared-based communicationswith one or more other devices. A WLAN may, for example, comprise anIEEE 802.11x network, and a WPAN may comprise a Bluetooth network, anIEEE 802.15x, for example. Wireless communication implementationsdescribed herein may also be used in connection with any combination ofWWAN, WLAN or WPAN.

Electronic device 110 may, for example, further comprise one or moreinput/output units 414. Input/output units 414 may represent one or moredevices or other like mechanisms that may be used to obtain inputs fromand/or provide outputs to one or more other devices and/or a user. Thus,for example, input/output units 414 may comprise various buttons,switches, a touch pad, a trackball, a joystick, a touch screen, akeyboard, and/or the like, which may be used to receive one or more userinputs. In certain instances, input/output units 414 may comprisevarious devices that may be used in producing a visual output, anaudible output, and/or a tactile output for a user. For example,input/output units 414 may be used to present a video display, graphicaluser interface, etc., on a display mechanism.

Attention is now drawn to FIG. 5, which is a schematic block diagramillustrating certain features of an example special computing platform500 which may be provided as part of mobile device 102, and/or apparatus104 provisioned therein.

As illustrated special computing platform 500 may comprise one or moreprocessing units 502 (e.g., to perform data processing in accordancewith the techniques provided herein, apparatus 104) coupled to memory504 via one or more connections 506 (e.g., one or more electricalconductors, one or more electrically conductive paths, one or morebuses, one or more fiber-optic paths, one or more circuits, one or morebuffers, one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, etc.).Processing unit(s) 502 may, for example, be implemented in hardware or acombination of hardware and software. Processing unit(s) 502 may berepresentative of one or more circuits configurable to perform at leasta portion of a data computing procedure or process. By way of examplebut not limitation, a processing unit may include one or moreprocessors, controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, applicationspecific integrated circuits, digital signal processors, programmablelogic devices, field programmable gate arrays, or the like, or anycombination thereof.

Memory 504 may be representative of any data storage mechanism. Memory504 may include, for example, a primary memory 504-1 and/or a secondarymemory 504-2. Primary memory 504-1 may comprise, for example, a randomaccess memory, read only memory, etc. While illustrated in this exampleas being separate from the processing units, it should be understoodthat all or part of a primary memory may be provided within or otherwiseco-located/coupled with processing unit(s) 502, or other like circuitrywithin mobile device 102. Secondary memory 504-2 may comprise, forexample, the same or similar type of memory as primary memory and/or oneor more data storage devices or systems, such as, for example, a diskdrive, an optical disc drive, a tape drive, a solid motion state memorydrive, etc.

In certain implementations, secondary memory may be operativelyreceptive of, or otherwise configurable to couple to, a non-blendedcomputer readable medium 520. Memory 504 and/or non-blended computerreadable medium 520 may comprise instructions 522 for use in performingdata processing, e.g., in accordance with the applicable techniques asprovided herein.

Special computing platform 500 may, for example, further comprise one ormore network interface units 508. Network interface unit 508 may, forexample, comprise one or more wired and/or wireless communicationinterfaces, represented here by one or more receivers 510 and one ormore transmitters 512. It should be understood that in certainimplementations, network interface unit 508 may comprise one or moretransceivers, and/or the like. Further, it should be understood thatalthough not shown, network interface unit 508 may comprise one or moreantennas and/or other circuitry as may be applicable given thecommunication interface function/capability.

In accordance with certain example implementations, network interfaceunit 508 may, for example, be enabled for use with various wiredcommunication networks, e.g., such as telephone system, a local areanetwork, a wide area network, a personal area network, an intranet, theInternet, etc.

Mobile device 102 may, for example, further comprise one or moreinput/output units 514. Input/output units 514 may represent one or moredevices or other like mechanisms that may be used to obtain inputs fromand/or provide outputs to one or more other devices and/or a user. Thus,for example, input/output units 514 may comprise various buttons,switches, a touch pad, a trackball, a joystick, a touch screen, akeyboard, a microphone, a camera, and/or the like, which may be used toreceive one or more user inputs. In certain instances, input/outputunits 514 may comprise various devices that may be used in producing avisual output, an audible output, and/or a tactile output for a user.For example, input/output units 514 may be used to present a videodisplay, graphical user interface, positioning and/or navigation relatedinformation, visual representations of electronic map, routingdirections, etc., via a display mechanism and/or audio mechanism.

Mobile device 102 may, for example, comprise one or more sensors 516.For example, sensor(s) 516 may represent one or more environmentalsensors, which may be useful in measuring certain atmospheric or otherlike phenomena which may occur in a particular environment 108. Forexample, sensor(s) 516 may represent one or more inertial sensors, whichmay be useful in detecting certain aspects of a particular environment108 and/or movements of mobile device 102 therein. Thus for example,sensor(s) 516 may comprise one or more accelerometers, one or one ormore gyroscopes or gyrometers, one or more magnetometers and/or thelike, one or more barometers, one or more thermometers, one or moreparticle detectors, etc. Further, in certain instances sensor(s) 516 maycomprise and/or take the form of one or more input devices such as amicrophone, a camera, a light sensor, etc.

SPS receiver 518 may be capable of acquiring and acquiring wirelesssignals 134 via one or more antennas (not shown). SPS receiver 518 mayalso process, in whole or in part, acquired wireless signals 134 forestimating a position and/or a motion of mobile device 102. In certaininstances, SPS receiver 518 may comprise one or more processing unit(s)(not shown), e.g., one or more general purpose processors, one or moredigital signal processors DSP(s), one or more specialized processorsthat may also be utilized to process acquired SPS signals, in whole orin part, and/or calculate an estimated location of mobile device 102. Incertain implementations, all or part of such processing of acquired SPSsignals may be performed by other processing capabilities in mobiledevice 102, e.g., processing unit(s) 502, memory 504, etc., inconjunction with SPS receiver 518. Storage of SPS or other signals foruse in performing positioning operations may be performed in memory 504or registers (not shown).

In certain instances, sensor(s) 516 may generate analog or digitalsignals that may be stored in memory 504 and processed by DPS(s) (notshown) or processing unit(s) 502 in support of one or more applicationssuch as, for example, applications directed to positioning or navigationoperations based, at least in part, on one or more positioningfunctions.

Processing unit(s) 502 may comprise a dedicated modem processor or thelike that may be capable of performing baseband processing of signalsacquired and downconverted at receiver(s) 510 of network interface unit508 or SPS receiver 509. Similarly, a modem processor or the like mayperform baseband processing of signals to be upconverted fortransmission by (wireless) transmitter(s) 512. In alternativeimplementations, instead of having a dedicated modem processor, basebandprocessing may be performed by a general purpose processor or DSP (e.g.,general purpose/application processor). It should be understood,however, that these are merely examples of structures that may performbaseband processing, and that claimed subject matter is not limited inthis respect. Moreover, it should be understood that the exampletechniques provided herein may be adapted for a variety of differentelectronic devices, mobile devices, transmitting devices, environments,position fix modes, etc.

In accordance with certain example implementations, a wirelesstransceiver device may comprise an IEEE std. 802.11 access point (AP),which may transmit a periodic beacon signal to, for example, enablemobile devices in range of the wireless transceiver device to requestservice access. For example, a mobile device wishing to send data mayinitiate a process to obtain access to certain wireless transceiverdevices by transmitting a Request to Send frame (RTS) to the wirelesstransceiver device. The recipient wireless transceiver device may thenreply with a Clear To Send frame (CTS). To acquire the CTS, the mobiledevice may tune its receiver to “listen” on a particular transmissionfrequency being applied by the wireless transceiver device to transmitthe CTS.

In particular operational applications, such as acquisition of a CTS, itmay be useful for a mobile device to identify particular wirelesstransceiver device by, for example, a unique identifier such as a MACaddress, etc. To enable efficient acquisition of a (beacon) wirelesssignal transmitted by wireless transceiver devices, it may further beuseful for such a mobile device to know particular frequency channels onwhich wireless transceiver devices are transmitting. For example, amobile device may maintain a record of wireless transceiver devices inrange including, for example, a MAC address and frequency channel onwhich the wireless transceiver device is currently transmitting a beaconsignal. As previously described, in certain implementations, a mobiledevice may passively scan for wireless transceiver devices. In oneexample, such a scan operation may be performed, at least in part, byaltering a receiver in the mobile device to set a frequency channelbeing scanned and wait for a periodic beacon signal from any wirelesstransceiver devices configured to use such frequency channel. In certainexample implementations, a wireless transceiver device may transmit abeacon signal every 100 ms. Unfortunately, as mentioned, excessivescanning may be undesirable since such tends to consume limitedresources.

As previously described, in certain example implementations a mobiledevice may alter a subsequent scan operation in a manner such that arate at which it passively scans for detection/acquisition of wirelesssignal transmitted changes. By way of example, a mobile device may altera subsequent scan operation based, at least in part, on determinedtransmission power of one or more wireless transceiver devices. This mayreduce unnecessary scanning that may deplete a battery, and/or otherwiseaffect efficiency of. In certain example implementations, a mobiledevice may evaluate a minimum received signal strength indications(RSSI) of wireless signals acquired from wireless transceiver devicesand infer a transmission power. In one implementation, a mobile devicemay define multiple discrete power levels, such as power levels 1-7 withlevel 1 being the strongest and level 10 being the weakest. The mobilecommunication device may then apply the following process to determininga scan rate: AP transmits at power levels 1-3 (strong), scan once every10 s, AP transmits at power levels 4-6, scan once every 6 s; APtransmits at levels 7 and below (weak), scan once every 3 s (e.g., levelmay be based on a minimum RSSI, transmission, etc., from scanned APs).

Alternately, if transmission power is not known or difficult to inferand if positions of wireless transceiver devices are known relative tomobile device position, if the strongest AP is heard with RSSI<Thr (−60dB) this may mean that AP transmission power is low and the mobiledevice may increase the frequency of subsequent scan operations. In yetanother alternative, an RTS/CTS sequence may be performed for all APswithin a certain radius of the mobile device position.

In yet another implementation, an apparatus 112 (e.g. which mayprovisioned, at least in part, in an AP) may listen and discover beaconsof other local or adjacent APs and transmit frequency channels andidentities of the discovered beacons on its beacon, e.g., as one or morescan factors 114. A mobile device 102 acquiring the discovering AP'sbeacon may then determine the identities of local APs and the frequencychannels on which the local APs are transmitting their respective beaconsignals.

The techniques described herein may be implemented by various meansdepending upon applications according to particular features and/orexamples. For example, such methodologies may be implemented inhardware, firmware, and/or combinations thereof, along with software. Ina hardware implementation, for example, a processing unit may beimplemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processingdevices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers,microprocessors, electronic devices, other devices units designed toperform the functions described herein, and/or combinations thereof.

In the preceding detailed description, numerous specific details havebeen set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subjectmatter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatclaimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, methods and apparatuses that would be known by oneof ordinary skill have not been described in detail so as not to obscureclaimed subject matter.

Some portions of the preceding detailed description have been presentedin terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations onbinary digital electronic signals stored within a memory of a specificapparatus or special purpose computing device or platform. In thecontext of this particular specification, the term specific apparatus orthe like includes a general purpose computer once it is programmed toperform particular functions pursuant to instructions from programsoftware. Algorithmic descriptions or symbolic representations areexamples of techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the signalprocessing or related arts to convey the substance of their work toothers skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, isconsidered to be a self-consistent sequence of operations or similarsignal processing leading to a desired result. In this context,operations or processing involve physical manipulation of physicalquantities. Typically, although not necessarily, such quantities maytake the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, compared or otherwise manipulated as electronicsignals representing information. It has proven convenient at times,principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals asbits, data, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers,numerals, information, or the like. It should be understood, however,that all of these or similar terms are to be associated with appropriatephysical quantities and are merely convenient labels. Unlessspecifically motion stated otherwise, as apparent from the followingdiscussion, it is appreciated that throughout this specificationdiscussions utilizing terms such as “processing”, “computing”,“calculating”, “determining”, “generating”, “obtaining”, “modifying”,“selecting”, “identifying”, and/or the like refer to actions orprocesses of a specific apparatus, such as a special purpose computer ora similar special purpose electronic computing device. In the context ofthis specification, therefore, a special purpose computer or a similarspecial purpose electronic computing device is capable of manipulatingor transforming signals, typically represented as physical electronic ormagnetic quantities within memories, registers, or other informationstorage devices, transmission devices, or display devices of the specialpurpose computer or similar special purpose electronic computing device.In the context of this particular patent application, the term “specificapparatus” may include a general purpose computer once it is programmedto perform particular functions pursuant to instructions from programsoftware.

The terms, “and”, “or”, and “and/or” as used herein may include avariety of meanings that also are expected to depend at least in partupon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if usedto associate a list, such as A, B or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C,here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B or C, here used in theexclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as used herein maybe used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in thesingular or may be used to describe a plurality or some othercombination of features, structures or characteristics. Though, itshould be noted that this is merely an illustrative example and claimedsubject matter is not limited to this example.

While there has been illustrated and described what are presentlyconsidered to be example features, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various other modifications may be made, andequivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimed subjectmatter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter withoutdeparting from the central concept described herein.

Therefore, it is intended that claimed subject matter not be limited tothe particular examples disclosed, but that such claimed subject mattermay also include all aspects falling within the scope of appendedclaims, and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising, at a mobile device:acquiring at least a first wireless signal transmitted by a wirelesstransceiver device; selectively altering a scan rate for at least onesubsequent scan operation for wireless signals based, at least in part,on a received signal strength of said at least a first wireless signalor a determined transmission power of said at least a first wirelesssignal, or a combination thereof, said scan rate to be increasedresponsive to said received signal strength, or said determinedtransmission power, to be lower than a threshold; and transmitting ascan operation report to at least one other electronic device, said scanoperation report being based, at least in part, on said at least onesubsequent scan operation for wireless signals.
 2. The method as recitedin claim 1, wherein said determined transmission power corresponds totransmission power applied by said wireless transceiver device intransmitting said at least a first wireless signal.
 3. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein selectively altering said at least onesubsequent scan operation for wireless signals comprises: altering ascan schedule based, at least in part, on said at least a first wirelesssignal.
 4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said scan scheduleis based, at least in part, on said scan rate, and wherein selectivelyaltering said at least one scan operation comprises altering a frequencyof said scan rate.
 5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein saidscan rate is based, at least in part, on a position fix rate.
 6. Themethod as recited in claim 4, wherein altering said frequency of saidscan rate comprises: increasing said frequency in response todetermining that a received signal strength measurement for said atleast a first wireless signal does not satisfy a signal strengththreshold value or that a determined transmission power applied by saidwireless transceiver device in transmitting said at least a firstwireless signal does not satisfy a transmission power threshold value,or a combination thereof.
 7. The method as recited in claim 4, whereinaltering said frequency of said scan rate comprises: decreasing saidfrequency in response to determining that a received signal strengthmeasurement for said at least a first wireless signal satisfies a signalstrength threshold value or determining that a determined transmissionpower applied by said wireless transceiver device in transmitting saidat least a first wireless signal satisfies a transmission powerthreshold value, or a combination thereof.
 8. The method as recited inclaim 4, wherein altering said frequency of said scan rate comprises:decreasing said frequency based, at least in part, on a number ofwireless transceiver devices identified based on a default scan rate,and an expected number of wireless transceiver devices based on aheatmap.
 9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein selectivelyaltering said at least one subsequent scan operation for wirelesssignals comprises: selectively altering said at least one subsequentscan operation for wireless signals based, at least in part, a scanfactor obtained, at least in part, via said at least a first wirelesssignal.
 10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said scan factorvaries depending upon a location of said mobile device or a timemeasurement, or a combination thereof.
 11. The method as recited inclaim 9, wherein said scan factor is indicative of a recommended scanrate frequency.
 12. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said scanfactor is indicative of a suggested scan limitation.
 13. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein said at least one subsequent scan operationfor wireless signals comprises a passive scan operation.
 14. Anapparatus for use in a mobile device, the apparatus comprising: meansfor acquiring at least a first wireless signal transmitted by a wirelesstransceiver device; means for selectively altering a scan rate for atleast one subsequent scan operation for wireless signals based, at leastin part, on a received signal strength of said at least a first wirelesssignal or a determined transmission power of said at least a firstwireless signal, or a combination thereof, said scan rate to beincreased responsive to said received signal strength, or saiddetermined transmission power, to be lower than a threshold; and meansfor transmitting a scan operation report to at least one otherelectronic device, said scan operation report being based, at least inpart, on said at least one subsequent scan operation for wirelesssignals.
 15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein saiddetermined transmission power corresponds to transmission power appliedby said wireless transceiver device in transmitting said at least afirst wireless signal.
 16. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, andfurther comprising: means for altering a scan schedule based, at leastin part, on said at least a first wireless signal.
 17. The apparatus asrecited in claim 16, wherein said scan schedule is based, at least inpart, on said scan rate, and further comprising: means for altering afrequency of said scan rate based, at least in part, on said at least afirst wireless signal.
 18. The apparatus as recited in claim 17, whereinsaid scan rate is based, at least in part, on a position fix rate. 19.The apparatus as recited in claim 17, and further comprising: means forincreasing said frequency in response to determining that a receivedsignal strength measurement for said at least a first wireless signaldoes not satisfy a signal strength threshold value or that a determinedtransmission power applied by said wireless transceiver device intransmitting said at least a first wireless signal does not satisfy atransmission power threshold value, or a combination thereof.
 20. Theapparatus as recited in claim 17, and further comprising: means fordecreasing said frequency in response to determining that a receivedsignal strength measurement for said at least a first wireless signalsatisfies a signal strength threshold value or determining that adetermined transmission power applied by said wireless transceiverdevice in transmitting said at least a first wireless signal satisfies atransmission power threshold value, or a combination thereof.
 21. Theapparatus as recited in claim 17, and further comprising: means fordecreasing said frequency based, at least in part, on a number ofwireless transceiver devices identified based on a default scan rate,and an expected number of wireless transceiver devices based on aheatmap.
 22. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, and furthercomprising: means for selectively altering said at least one subsequentscan operation for wireless signals based, at least in part, a scanfactor obtained, at least in part, via said at least a first wirelesssignal.
 23. The apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said scanfactor varies depending upon a location of said mobile device or a timemeasurement, or a combination thereof.
 24. The apparatus as recited inclaim 22, wherein said scan factor is indicative of a recommended scanrate frequency.
 25. The apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein saidscan factor is indicative of a suggested scan limitation.
 26. Theapparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said at least one subsequentscan operation for wireless signals comprises a passive scan operation.27. A mobile device comprising: a receiver configured to acquire atleast a first wireless signal from a wireless transceiver device; aprocessing unit coupled to said receiver and configured to selectivelyalter a scan rate for at least one subsequent scan operation forwireless signals using said receiver based, at least in part, on areceived signal strength of said at least a first wireless signal or adetermined transmission power of said at least a first wireless signal,or a combination thereof, said scan rate to be increased responsive tosaid received signal strength, or said determined transmission power, tobe lower than a threshold; and a transmitter; and wherein saidprocessing unit is further configured to: initiate transmission of ascan operation report to at least one other electronic device via saidtransmitter, said scan operation report being based, at least in part,on said at least one subsequent scan operation for wireless signals. 28.The mobile device as recited in claim 27, wherein said determinedtransmission power corresponds to transmission power applied by saidwireless transceiver device in transmitting said at least a firstwireless signal.
 29. The mobile device as recited in claim 27, whereinsaid processing unit is further configured to alter a scan schedulebased, at least in part, on said at least a first wireless signal. 30.The mobile device as recited in claim 29, wherein said scan schedule isbased, at least in part, on said scan rate, and wherein selectivelyaltering said at least one scan operation comprises altering a frequencyof said scan rate.
 31. The mobile device as recited in claim 30, whereinsaid scan rate is based, at least in part, on a position fix rate. 32.The mobile device as recited in claim 30, wherein said processing unitis further configured to increase said frequency in response todetermining that a received signal strength measurement for said atleast a first wireless signal does not satisfy a signal strengththreshold value or that a determined transmission power applied by saidwireless transceiver device in transmitting said at least a firstwireless signal does not satisfy a transmission power threshold value,or a combination thereof.
 33. The mobile device as recited in claim 30,wherein said processing unit is further configured to decrease saidfrequency in response to a determination that a received signal strengthmeasurement for said at least a first wireless signal satisfies a signalstrength threshold value or a determination that a determinedtransmission power applied by said wireless transceiver device intransmitting said at least a first wireless signal satisfies atransmission power threshold value, or a combination thereof.
 34. Themobile device as recited in claim 30, wherein said processing unit isfurther configured to decrease said frequency based, at least in part,on a number of wireless transceiver devices identified based on adefault scan rate, and an expected number of wireless transceiverdevices based on a heatmap.
 35. The mobile device as recited in claim27, wherein said processing unit is further configured to: selectivelyalter said at least one subsequent scan operation for wireless signalsbased, at least in part, a scan factor obtained, at least in part, viasaid at least a first wireless signal.
 36. The mobile device as recitedin claim 35, wherein said scan factor varies depending upon a locationof said mobile device or a time measurement, or a combination thereof.37. The mobile device as recited in claim 35, wherein said scan factoris indicative of a recommended scan rate frequency.
 38. The mobiledevice as recited in claim 35, wherein said scan factor is indicative ofa suggested scan limitation.
 39. The mobile device as recited in claim27, wherein said at least one subsequent scan operation comprises apassive scan operation for wireless signals.
 40. An article comprising:a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored therein computerimplementable instructions executable by a processing unit in a mobiledevice to: acquire at least a first wireless signal transmitted by awireless transceiver device; selectively alter a scan rate for at leastone subsequent scan operation for wireless signals based, at least inpart, on a received signal strength of said at least a first wirelesssignal or a determined transmission power of said at least a firstwireless signal, or a combination thereof, said scan rate to beincreased responsive to said signal strength, or said determinedtransmission power, to be lower than the threshold; and initiatetransmission of a scan operation report to at least one other electronicdevice, said scan operation report being based, at least in part, onsaid at least one subsequent scan operation.
 41. The article as recitedin claim 40, wherein said determined transmission power corresponds totransmission power applied by said wireless transceiver device intransmitting said at least a first wireless signal.
 42. The article asrecited in claim 40, said computer implementable instructions beingfurther executable by said processing unit to: alter a scan schedulebased, at least in part, on said at least a first wireless signal. 43.The article as recited in claim 42, wherein said scan schedule is based,at least in part, on said scan rate, and wherein selectively alteringsaid at least one scan operation comprises altering a frequency of saidscan rate.
 44. The article as recited in claim 43, wherein said scanrate is based, at least in part, on a position fix rate.
 45. The articleas recited in claim 43, said computer implementable instructions beingfurther executable by said processing unit to increase said frequency inresponse to determining that a received signal strength measurement forsaid at least a first wireless signal does not satisfy a signal strengththreshold value or that a determined transmission power applied by saidwireless transceiver device in transmitting said at least a firstwireless signal does not satisfy a transmission power threshold value,or a combination thereof.
 46. The article as recited in claim 43, saidcomputer implementable instructions being further executable by saidprocessing unit to decrease said frequency in response to adetermination that a received signal strength measurement for said atleast a first wireless signal satisfies a signal strength thresholdvalue or a determination that a determined transmission power applied bysaid wireless transceiver device in transmitting said at least a firstwireless signal satisfies a transmission power threshold value, or acombination thereof.
 47. The article as recited in claim 43, saidcomputer implementable instructions being further executable by saidprocessing unit to decrease said frequency based, at least in part, on anumber of wireless transceiver devices identified based on a defaultscan rate, and an expected number of wireless transceiver devices basedon a heatmap.
 48. The article as recited in claim 40, said computerimplementable instructions being further executable by said processingunit to: selectively alter said at least one subsequent scan operationfor wireless signals based, at least in part, a scan factor obtained, atleast in part, via said at least a first wireless signal.
 49. Thearticle as recited in claim 48, wherein said scan factor variesdepending upon a location of said mobile device or a time measurement,or a combination thereof.
 50. The article as recited in claim 48,wherein said scan factor is indicative of a recommended scan ratefrequency.
 51. The article as recited in claim 48, wherein said scanfactor is indicative of a suggested scan limitation.
 52. The article asrecited in claim 40, wherein said at least one subsequent scan operationfor wireless signals comprises a passive scan operation.